Politics
African Union suspends Central African Republic, imposes tough sanctions on coup leaders
The African Union suspended the Central African Republic on Monday and imposed sanctions after President Francois Bozize’s ouster, warning that rebel coup leaders could face trial.
Michel Djotodia was facing international isolation after dissolving the country’s institutions and announcing he would govern by decree after the weekend coup.
The former diplomat turned rebel leader, whose Seleka coalition took over the capital Bangui in a weekend assault, announced late on Monday he would govern by decree until elections are organized in three years.
Djotodia announced the suspension of the constitution, as well as the dissolution of parliament and the government late on Monday in Bangui.
“During that transition period which will lead us to free, credible and transparent elections, I will legislate by decree,” he told reporters. Earlier Monday, in an interview with reporters, Djotodia made it clear he would not rule out running in polls he promised for 2016.
The power change in Bangui came after an offensive that shattered a January 11 power-sharing deal between the old administration and the Seleka coalition.
Ousted president Francois Bozize, who himself seized power in a 2003 coup, left the country over the weekend and on Monday he was in Cameroon. But the authorities there said he would be moving on “to another third country”.
Djotodia, is a former civil servant and diplomat. But since 2005 he has been one of the leading figures among the rebels. In his address on Monday night, he promised to restore order and vowed to press on with the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of former rebels that has been the core grievance of his Seleka coalition movement.
In addition to suspending Bangui, the African Union has imposed sanctions, travel restrictions and an asset freeze on the Seleka coalition leaders naming seven individuals including Djotodia.
Ousted president Bozize never delivered on his promises to harness the oil, gold and uranium wealth that has remained largely untapped. The Central African Republic remains one of the most under developed nations on a continent that is largely experiencing rapid growth and positive change.